Kentucky Football will no longer be playing their games at Commonwealth Stadium. The facility will now be referred to as “Kroger Field”.
In somewhat of a disappointment to fans, Kentucky Football will now play their home games in a newly named stadium. There have been mixed reviews about the new title. Social media and word of mouth of the Big Blue Nation have expressed their opinions, good or bad, about the situation.
To be honest, the name of the stadium isn’t going to change the product on the field. People want to cry “tradition” with Commonwealth Stadium. Unfortunately, Kentucky football doesn’t have a ton of tradition. Winning has come at a minimal in Lexington over the past decade. Unlike many of the SEC football programs, Kentucky hasn’t been a contender in the conference for quite some time. Recruiting has not been an emphasis. So, personally, the name doesn’t change the way the players are going to play.
With the turmoil of negative connotations about the name of the stadium, there have been some pretty interesting fan reactions.
As if Kentucky football fans hadn’t been through enough already they are renaming the stadium Kroger Field. Really.
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) May 1, 2017
The great debate
Most fans seem to think that Kroger Field just sounds bad in general. I would venture to agree with that to an extent. On the other hand, Kentucky has made history as the first SEC school to sell the naming rights of their football venue to a commercial company.
Kentucky’s marketing partner, JMI Sports struck a deal with the popular grocery store chain. The deal is worth $1.85 million annually for 12 years. In all reality, college athletics is nothing but a massive business that is currently booming. Money is everything now. Making profit off of anything, especially the name of an SEC football stadium is a great way for the university to make major moves in the marketing world.
Kroger Field is a horrible name. Probably the most horrible name.
— jackson (@jackson_moss) May 1, 2017
Some may think it’s a horrible name and rightfully so. But, on the other hand, change is good for everyone. Kentucky football is on the rise. If it takes a re-naming of the stadium to get closer to the top, have at it.
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As a major Kentucky Football fan, families will reluctantly drive to Lexington on Saturday afternoons to watch the Cats play. The name of the stadium will be non-relevant if Mark Stoops brings this team to 10 or more wins a season.